Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-01-14
NINETEEN KILLED.
A Terrible Railroad Accident
Near Republic, Ohio.
The Wreck Burns.

The fast train on the Baltimore a. Ohio
railroad, which left New York about
O'Clock on the morning OF the Sd inst, for
Chicago, with five coaches and four sleep
ers, all well filed with passengers, collided
with an eastern bound freight seven miles
east of Tifiln, Ohio, about O'Clock on the
morning OF the 4th.
The fast train was about 80 minutes late,
and was running at the rate OF 60 miles an
hour. Passing Republic, small station,
like fash, they rushed along to the curve,
one mile west Of the town, when suddenly
the engineer saw the freight train
under full Roadway, within 100 yards OF
him. He at once applied the brake revers-
ed his engine, but it did no good, and the
next instant the crash came, telescoping the
coaches and piling them upon each other.
The engines OF the two trains reared into
the air like a pair of enraged monsters,
and then settled down upon the track,
driving into each other until the cylinders
touched. The force OF the impact damned
the baggage cars into the tender Of the
last train, the express car into the baggage
and the smoker into the expIsss. In less
than five minutes from the moment OF the
collision, and before any organized effort
overturned stoves communicated TO the
woodwork and the flames leaped high in
the air, their roar mingling with the cries
Of anguish OF the imprisoned victims, 10
whom death In its most terrible form was
"A horrid presence. The trainmen and I'M
injured passengers were pOwerless and
could do nothing 10 rescue the sufferers.
To add CONSERVATION 20 the horrible
scene fire broke out in the smoking car
and soon spread 10 the other cars. Many
were killed outright, while others wedged
in among the broken cars, were slowly
consumed by the flames. The smoker was
entirely consumed, and all the passengers
killed
The crash could be heard for
long distance. and tho people
living in the neighborhood were
awakened 10y IL and FASTENED 60 the scene
10 lend what aid they could in caring for
the dead and dying BY IL O'Clock 10
charred and mangled bodies had been
taken from the burning wreck. Assistance
came from litlin and other places,
and physicians and nurses FASTENED TO the
scene of the wreck, which presented
fearful spectacle and recalled 10 the spec
tators the ASLtabula horror OF lNt6
Among the passengers were Charles L.
Toll and wife OF Detroit, who were return
ing from their bridal tour. Mr.. Toll gives
the following account Of the disaster:
Il was awakened 10y being thrown VIC
lently from the berth. The train consisted
of the engine, baggage car, one coach and
two sleeperS. The train COlllded with an
east bound freight. which had got stalled
mile west Of Republic, and eight miles east
OF Iiiiin. The two engines were wrecked.
The coach telcscoVed into the baggage car,
so completely that the two were crushed
into the space OF one. The two Sleepcrs
did not leave the track. The tele,cOped
cars caught fire from the stove, and the
manCled and crushed passengers impris-
oncd in the shattered wreck shrieled In
agony as the flames proceeded with their
work OF destruction. The en-
gineer and fireman OF the freight
leaped and saved themselves from
the collision. The engineer OF the ex-
press, named Eastman, had a leg broken
and sustained severe wound ia the
shoulder His fireman was caught between
the engine and tender and died in few
minutes. No one IN the Sleepers vas in
Jured, other than by a severe sinking I'D.
Mrs. Fish, a sister OF the late Gen. Logan,
who was returning from W a5hinEton, was
in the wreck but was uufniured.
Dur TO CARELRssNESs.
There i n diversity of opinion regarding
the reul cause OF the accident. The reports
agree that there was carele,sness on the
part OF the railroad employees, but wheth-
er blame should attach TO the freight or
passenger crew is matter Of conjec-
ture. y thorough investigation will be
made. The coroner has taken charge OF
the dead
The same day, n disastrous wreck on the
Boston q Albany road near Springfield
Mass, caused by n broken wheel. One
man was burned 10 death, and Is persons
seriously injured.
A frighttul accident occurred near Pc
wauke. Wis, on the evening OF the 4th.
The east bound passenger train ran into a
sleigh-load OF ice men returning from
work. Three of the men were instantly
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